Welcome back to another edition of The Jalen Ramsey Show. We’re here today to talk about your life and your money. We have open lines at 818-338-0011. The call is free and some might say the advice is exactly what you pay for it! We start out today in the nation’s capitol, Washington D.C. Sammis on line one. Welcome to The Jalen Ramsey Show, Sammis.

Hi Jalen. Thank you taking my call. How are you doing today?

Better than the Jaguars under Tom Coughlin. How can I help?

Who are the Jaguars?

Dang. I knew their 2020 season was forgettable but that’s a brutal slice to take at poor Doug Marron there.

I am still learning the NFL and have memorized the NFC Division of the East division but I am not yet learning the American Football Conference opponents.

Oh dang. Well, the Jaguars have the first overall pick in the draft because they’re a trash heap of an organization and, as a result, lose football games.

And Doug Marron is…?

A 40-61 coach with a secure job in Jacksonville.

Ah yes! Jacksonville, Florida! I know that state! I did my pre-signing training there. Very nice place with great people.

Hey. One rule for my callers — don’t lie to me. I can’t help if you’re gonna lie.

Florida is the worst place I have been ever — and I am from Chile.

So what has you calling the show today, Sammis?

I’m calling about, I guess, about selling out your dreams for a paycheck. You see, my life is basketball. I grew up playing in Chile and was honored to play internationally for my for home country before arriving to the Estados Unidos at the age of 14 with a dream of playing for the NBA Minnesota Timberwolves. But after playing for the Tulane Waves de Verde, I was not signed by the NBA and ended up in the NFL’s International Player Pathway Program where I’ve signed a contract with the Washington Football [*Redacted] s Team.

Whoa there, Hitler. We don’t use that language around here. But to your point, are you saying you feel like you’re throwing away your basketball dreams to play in the NFL?

I little. I mean, you chase something your whole life and then it doesn’t pan out. Can’t help but feel a little disappointed in the alternative. And, you know, I look at the work I put in at the Pathway Program — and still continue to put in today to learn the NFL tight end position — and I wonder if that same time and effort, had it been focused on my basketball game, would I maybe be signing with an NBA team now instead? I don’t know but, you know, maybe. 

Well you didn’t. It’s a sunk cost now. You’ve got a new opportunity that, regardless of all the work you’ve put in, you’re straight lucky to have. I mean, guys play football their whole lives and never get the shot you have. You need to play the hand you’ve been dealt; not worry about what could have been.

But is it a risk? Jalen, I am a basketball player trying to translate my skills to the football tight end position. Doesn’t this seem a little crazy to anyone else? I mean, where’s there a track record of basketball players making it as tight ends in the NFL? My teammate, Logan Thomas, was a fourth round pick by General Manager Steve Keim as a quarterback. But that makes sense, right, because both are offensive positions. We’re talking about, what, just because I’m a “big guy who will go up and grab that ball” that I’m somehow going to cut it in the NFL?

Yes.

Yes?

Do your homework, kid. You averaged a point and a half a game in college so you aren’t NBA material. And for NFL tight ends, grabbing the ball is pretty much the bare minimum standard for a tight end. Plus your owner is a moron who may give you a long term deal just because one day at lunch you shared a bite of your curanto.

I also can block.

Which is why the Seahawks didn’t show any interest in you. Look, you’re fine. Playing pro basketball is behind your either way. At this point, decide what you do want to do. Maybe you don’t want to play football but that doesn’t put you in the NBA; it puts you just not in the NBA or the NFL. So what’s the third thing you want to do? I don’t know but worrying about not being in the NBA is a fool’s errand. And, hey, speaking of fools and moron owners, let’s take it over to line two with Mark in Henderson, Nev-ahhhhh-da.

Good day, Jalen Ramsey.

Hi Mark. Welcome to the show.

Heard you talking about sunk costs a little with the last caller and think I have a question in the same vein. You see, I have a social media staff. No idea why. I don’t give a shit what anyone — fan, player, or municipality — thinks about me or my organization. We have three world championships. I’m a multibillionaire. And I do it all with a chip on my shoulder so why do I need a social media department?

I’m not saying you do. For a lot of business owners, it’s just not a position they care to manage themselves so they get someone young to do it and, you know, it’s just kind of the way the younger generation communicates.

But Jalen, I can do the tweet and no one speaks for me but me. So I’m paying to speak for me when they don’t?

Well, I hope they are doing more than just tweeting. They should be posting highlights and amplifying the content and fan experiences that you are already spending money on. Social media isn’t really about communicating; it’s about advertising.

But our fans want our opinions on things like current events and social justice. Who could speak for me on those matters but myself?

No one wants your opinion on things like current events and social justice. Frankly, the Raiders are part of the status quo that only makes symbolic gestures about anything other than your profits. So if you don’t want to hire staff to try and make your business seem progressive, then don’t. I mean, broadcast rights and corporate sponsorships are how you make your money. I’ve never understood why a team would need anything more than a code that just boosts their team website updates to all their social media accounts.

But I am woke. I drink Pepsi. I’m a big supporter of the George Floyd family. I even quoted the family when I posted on our account, “I can breathe.” See? Why do I need to pay someone else to do that for me?

And you’re getting pushback for it.

But I explained that it was not meant to be disrespectful. And I’m clearly not a racists — I hired Hue Jackson! And now even the family supports me!

Not a matter of right or wrong, obviously, but what would have been gained even if that tweet was a hit? You think Broncos fans are gonna read it and buy a Kenyan Drake jersey?

Jalen, my man, you don’t get it. There is no bad press. It’s all about eyes and ad dollars. If whoever snowflake that wants to misunderstand my words and they want to protest our home opener, what could be better for ratings? Profit and social progress aren’t mutually exclusive.

Then it sounds like you don’t need my advice. It’s like hiring an attorney — if you want to handle all your own legal needs and don’t care about the outcomes, don’t hire one. But the idea that Mark from Henderson is going to handle the YouTube uploads and content generation that really makes up the foundation of a good social media strategy,  well, I’d reconsider putting all the work on your plate. Go ahead and keep your authority to tweet whatever you want but still let the professionals handle the day to day stuff.

But I’m not sure these young social media managers understand how a good tweet always gives a nod to the police in situations like this.

Well, it’s not like you can’t support police. This was about a criminal trial and committing crimes is not policing.

Jalen, I’m not going to sit here and listen to you bash our boys in blue. You may want to defund them but I sure hope you don’t need their help when someone breaks into your home. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a law enforcement union defense fund fundraiser at the PF Changs off Green Valley Ranch in a few. Marky Mark Davis out!

So that’s it for today. Terrible stuff but that’s what happens sometimes. Anyways, for those who stuck this out, go get your vaccine, mask up, and we’ll see you next time, right here, on The Jalen Ramsey Show.